QLS Seminar Series - Priya Moorjani

Reconstructing Evolutionary History and Processes:Insights from Analysis of Present-day and Ancient Genomes

Priya Moorjani, Berkeley University
Tuesday November 12, 12-1pm
Zoom Link: https://mcgill.zoom.us/j/89914150820
In Person: 550 Sherbrooke, Room 189

Abstract: Population mixture (or ‘admixture’) is a recurrent theme in human history. One of the most striking examples of admixture is the discovery of gene flow from archaic hominins, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans, into the ancestors of modern humans. In this talk, I will explore how we can utilize the genomes of present-day individuals from diverse populations to characterize the legacy of archaic ancestry in modern humans. Additionally, I will discuss how ancient DNA from modern humans sampled over the past 50,000 years is providing a fine-scale understanding of the timing and changes in archaic ancestry over time. Together, these analyses highlight the power of genomic data to illuminate our evolutionary history and answer enduring questions about human origins and adaptation.